Apple has quietly added the 2017 Apple TV 4K to its vintage products list as of October 9, 2026 — confirming it’s been more than five years since the device was last sold. That makes the first-generation Apple TV 4K officially obsolete for service and parts support in Apple’s eyes. And just days later, rumors point to a new model: the 4th-generation Apple TV 4K, expected imminently. It won’t be a redesign, reports say it’ll look nearly identical to its predecessors. But under the hood, it’s tipped to pack at least an A19-class chip, possibly the A19 Pro. That’s a generational leap from the aging A10X Fusion inside the 2017 unit. For context: that chip came from the 2017 iPad Pro. In 2026, it struggles with even basic Apple Arcade titles, let alone anything demanding. The new chip would finally make gaming on Apple TV viable beyond novelty. Rumors also suggest Siri AI integration, which would require serious local processing headroom. That lines up with the A19 Pro speculation. The 2017 model launched with HDMI 2.0a, Dolby Vision, HDR10, Gigabit Ethernet, and dual-band 802.11ac Wi-Fi. None of those were unusual for 2017. But by 2026, they’re bare minimum. And missing key modern features. Most: eARC. Every Apple TV 4K except the 2017 model supports it. That means the current unit can’t route high-bandwidth audio, like lossless Dolby Atmos from a PS5 or Xbox Series X. Through HomePod minis or other compatible speakers. With two HomePod minis already in use, that’s a real limitation for anyone treating Apple TV as a living-room AV hub. There’s also chatter about expanded HomePod support: up to four units in a surround configuration. Unclear if that’s exclusive to the new hardware, but given the 2017 model doesn’t even run tvOS 27, it’s almost certainly off-limits. Then there’s the remote. The original glass-topped Siri Remote is infamous. Cracked, unresponsive, orientation-ambiguous. Apple ditched it after one generation. Yet millions still use it. Because replacing it costs $59, and upgrading the whole box feels overdue anyway. The new model will ship with the current clicky, tactile, battery-efficient remote, no extra charge. No pricing or availability details have been confirmed. Apple hasn’t announced the 4th-gen Apple TV 4K. All details remain unconfirmed rumors. Though the timing lines up with Apple’s usual fall cadence, and the vintage listing adds quiet urgency. If it arrives as expected, it’ll be the first meaningful hardware refresh for the platform in nearly a decade. Pre-orders could open as early as next week.